I have served as Loudoun Republican Committee's 72HR/GOTV point man, as well as a vice-Chair for the Catoctin District in Loudoun. My concerns voiced here will be all mine. As an original member of Loudoun's Tooconservative "Posse", I have transcended Party in the past...in every effort to protect county citizens from corrupt practice. I run into two groups of people often. Those who are REALLY glad to see me at an event, and those who cross the street to avoid me.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I have a great many friends in the ideological and political realm, and I’m particularly proud of some of them. My best friends are the kind who step forward, right wrongs, and speak for the masses. Birds of a feather, you might say.

One such friend is Tito Munoz, who came to America by way of Columbia.

When I became aware of “Tito the Builder” and his involvement in the McCain/Palin effort back in 2008, I thought to myself, here’s a guy who “gets it”. He went to a McCain event in work clothes, wearing a hard hat adorned with McCain stickers, orange high-visibility vest, and a sign that said CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FOR MCCAIN.Munoz is the owner of a small commercial construction business, so he understands quite a bit about the plight of those businesses… and so do I, because I also own one of them.

With a heightened precision, Munoz wore construction clothes to express his sympathy for Joe Wurzelbacher, the Ohio man better known as "Joe the Plumber." He felt that Wurzelbacher (best known for inciting that famous zinger that Obama probably regrets unleashing to this day)-- "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody"... had been unnecessarily rolled by the press for overtly expressing skepticism about Obama's pledge not to raise taxes on individuals making more than $200,000 a year and couples making more than $250,000.(so, instead Obama has raised taxes on everything else in an effort to make folks think he's keeping promises)

After the event, Tito sought out the liberal press and held their feet to the fire. “"I support McCain, but I've come to face you guys because I'm disgusted with you guys," he said. "Why the hell are you going after Joe the Plumber? Joe the Plumber has an idea. He has a future. He wants to be something else. Why is that wrong? Everything is possible in America. I made it. Joe the Plumber could make it even better than me….I was born in Colombia, but I was made in the U.S.A."

With those words, he caught the campaign’s attention, and the rest is history. He and his wonderful wife Deborah, have gone on to found a group called the Conservative Hispanic Coalition, they have started and host a conservative Spanish-language radio program, "America Eres TU" (America Is You), and have been active in the Tea Party and the Prince William County, Virginia Republican Committee. He also serves on the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development, appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell.

Tito is the epitome of public service already. That he will now explore his possibilities in an elected office only raises the level of his service to his fellow citizens.Tito is forming an organization called TitoPAC and exploring a run for the legislature. "I came to America for a better life and more opportunities to succeed," he says in a statement to accompany his announcement, which is planned for Today. "While working with my Conservative Hispanic Coalition, Americans for Prosperity, FreedomWorks, and the Tea Party, it became clear to me that there are many others who agree that government very often is an impediment to achievement and success. Whether a natural born citizen or a legal immigrant, every Virginian and American deserves the same access I had: to be made in the United States of America."

Monday, April 4, 2011

Rep. Frank Wolf (VA-10) will host a forum to discuss efforts under way to address the infestation of the brown marmorated stink bug and its impact on the local economy.The forum is free and open to the public and is scheduled for 7 – 9 p.m. on Monday, April 18, in the auditorium of Woodgrove High School, located at 36811 Allder School Road in Purcellville.

A press release states “Though some may think of the stink bug as only an annoying household nuisance, I am well aware of the devastating impact that this invasive species is having on all crops,” Wolf said. “I encourage all local apple and grape growers, farmers and nursery owners to attend and participate in the discussion.”

It continues: Brown marmorated stink bugs feed on numerous fruits and vegetables such as apples, cherries and tomatoes. One study conducted in Georgia revealed a $27 million loss of crops in a single year due to the damage caused by the brown stink bug.

The forum will feature presentations from two leaders in the effort to attack this growing problem to the economy and food chain:

· Dr. Tracy Leskey, a research entomologist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will share data from a public-private working group she leads on the issue.

· Dr. Christopher Bergh, a Virginia Tech associate professor of entomology at the Alston H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, will discuss his recent efforts to gain approval for use of an insecticide to assist with managing this problem.

After meeting with local farmers last year, Wolf joined a bipartisan group of House colleagues in asking officials at USDA to take immediate steps to limit damage to farmers and homeowners from the brown stink bug, which has no natural predator in the United States and has quickly spread to 33 states.

Wolf added "“We need a coordinated effort at all levels of government to respond to this growing problem. We are looking at both short- and long-term solutions, and I hope this forum will provide local growers and farmers with information for the upcoming growing season.”

Friday, April 1, 2011

Ralph Buona is running in the new district named AshDowne. He is a local businessman who has done work with the Chamber of Commerce and has a vision to bring real commercial business to Loudoun. Businesses that pay more in taxes, so you don't have to.

Rallying with Ralph is Geary Higgins, who's running for the Catoctin District. Geary is a friend, and he understands the rural nature of the District he's running for. Geary has restored two of our historic treasures and is a friend to the rural economy and farmland.

Matt Letourneau is also a great fellow that I'm surprised hadn't thrown his hat in sooner , a couple of years ago. He'll be running in the newly formed Dulles District- renamed for the former district that it split...and will work fine with Ralph and Geary in forming a Board that understands what people want, and not the current situation of democrats giving us what they think we need.

My Kevlar

I knew my Party affiliation by the age of 14. I was able to argue with the television at 16.
More recently, I was compelled to act when I began speaking out for my town, representing town residents against the actions of an overzealous Town Council, and with that involvement, it was only natural that the activism would evolve. Later, there were County elections, and as the passion to do the right thing for my fellow citizens grew, I became even more active in Political Action Committees.